Download Globalsan Iscsi Initiator Mac: A Step-by-Step Tutorial to Access iSCSI Storage on Your Mac
Download Globalsan Iscsi Initiator Mac: A Guide to Connect Your Mac to iSCSI Storage
If you are looking for a way to connect your Mac to a networked storage device that supports block-level access, you may want to consider using iSCSI. iSCSI is a protocol that allows you to send SCSI commands over TCP/IP networks, which means you can use your existing Ethernet infrastructure to create a storage area network (SAN). However, to use iSCSI on your Mac, you will need an iSCSI initiator, which is a software or hardware component that enables your Mac to communicate with an iSCSI target An iSCSI target is a storage device that provides block-level access to its data over a network. It can be a dedicated hardware appliance or a software application that runs on a server. Some examples of iSCSI targets are QNAP NAS, Synology NAS, and Dell EMC Unity.
Download Globalsan Iscsi Initiator Mac
One of the most popular and reliable iSCSI initiators for Mac is Globalsan Iscsi Initiator, which is developed by Studio Network Solutions (SNS). Globalsan Iscsi Initiator is a free software that allows you to connect your Mac to any iSCSI target and access it as a local disk. In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on your Mac, and share some best practices and tips for using iSCSI on Mac.
What is iSCSI and How Does it Work?
iSCSI stands for Internet Small Computer System Interface, which is a protocol that enables SCSI commands to be sent over TCP/IP networks. SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is a standard that defines how devices such as hard disks, tape drives, scanners, and printers communicate with each other. By using iSCSI, you can create a SAN (Storage Area Network), which is a network of storage devices that can be accessed by multiple servers or clients.
iSCSI Overview
iSCSI works by encapsulating SCSI commands and data in TCP/IP packets and sending them over Ethernet networks. This means you can use your existing network infrastructure and equipment to connect your Mac to an iSCSI target, without the need for special cables or adapters. Some of the advantages of using iSCSI are:
Cost-efficiency: You can save money by using your existing network infrastructure and equipment, rather than buying expensive Fibre Channel or SAS hardware and cables.
Compatibility: You can use any iSCSI initiator and target that comply with the iSCSI standard, regardless of the vendor or platform. You can also use different types of storage devices such as HDDs, SSDs, RAID arrays, etc.
Performance: You can achieve high-speed data transfer rates by using Gigabit Ethernet or faster networks. You can also use features such as Data Center Bridging (DCB), Quality of Service (QoS), and Multipath I/O (MPIO) to optimize the performance and reliability of your iSCSI connections.
iSCSI Components
An iSCSI SAN consists of two main components: an iSCSI initiator and an iSCSI target. An iSCSI initiator is the device that initiates the connection to the iSCSI target and sends SCSI commands and data to it. An iSCSI target is the device that receives the connection request from the iSCSI initiator and responds to SCSI commands and data from it. An iSCSI initiator and target communicate with each other using an iSCSI session, which is a logical connection established over TCP/IP.
To identify each other, an iSCSI initiator and target use an iSCSI Qualified Name (IQN), which is a unique name that follows a specific format. For example, an IQN for an iSCSI initiator may look like this: iqn.2023-06.com.apple:macbookpro, where 2023-06 is the year and month of registration, com.apple is the domain name of the vendor or organization, and macbookpro is a specific name for the device. An IQN for an iSCSI target may look like this: iqn.2023-01.com.qnap:ts-453d, where 2023-01 is the year and month of registration, com.qnap is the domain name of the vendor or organization, and ts-453d is a specific name for the device.
Why Use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator for Mac?
Globalsan Iscsi Initiator is one of the most popular and reliable iSCSI initiators for Mac. It is developed by Studio Network Solutions (SNS), which is a company that specializes in providing storage solutions for media production. Globalsan Iscsi Initiator has been used by thousands of users worldwide since 2005, and it has received positive feedback from customers and reviewers alike.
Globalsan Iscsi Initiator Features
Some of the features of Globalsan Iscsi Initiator are:
Free download: You can download Globalsan Iscsi Initiator from the SNS website for free. You can use it for personal or commercial purposes without any limitations or restrictions.
Easy installation: You can install Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on your Mac with a few clicks. You just need to run the installer and restart your Mac after installation. You don't need to configure any network settings or drivers.
CHAP authentication: You can use CHAP (Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol) to secure your iSCSI connections with a username and password. CHAP authentication prevents unauthorized access to your iSCSI targets and protects your data from eavesdropping and tampering.
Multipath I/O: You can use Multipath I/O (MPIO) to improve the availability and performance of your iSCSI connections by using multiple paths between your Mac and your iSCSI target. MPIO allows you to balance the load across different network interfaces and switch to another path in case of a failure.
Support for macOS Big Sur and Apple Silicon: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on the latest version of macOS (Big Sur) and on the new Macs with Apple Silicon processors. Globalsan Iscsi Initiator is compatible with both Intel-based and ARM-based Macs.
Globalsan Iscsi Initiator Benefits
Some of the benefits of using Globalsan Iscsi Initiator are:
Flexibility: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to connect your Mac to any iSCSI target that supports the iSCSI standard, regardless of the vendor or platform. You can also use different types of storage devices such as HDDs, SSDs, RAID arrays, etc.
Reliability: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to create stable and reliable iSCSI connections that can handle high workloads and large data transfers. You can also use features such as CHAP authentication and Multipath I/O to enhance the security and redundancy of your iSCSI connections.
Security: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to protect your iSCSI connections from unauthorized access and data breaches by using CHAP authentication. CHAP authentication encrypts your username and password and verifies them before establishing an iSCSI connection.
Performance: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to achieve high-speed data transfer rates by using Gigabit Ethernet or faster networks. You can also use features such as Data Center Bridging, Quality of Service, and Multipath I/O to optimize the performance and reliability of your iSCSI connections.
Some of the use cases of Globalsan Iscsi Initiator for Mac are:
Video editing: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to connect your Mac to an iSCSI target that provides fast and large storage space for your video files. You can edit your videos directly from the iSCSI target without copying them to your local disk, which saves time and disk space.
Backup: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to connect your Mac to an iSCSI target that serves as a backup destination for your important data. You can use Time Machine or other backup software to backup your data to the iSCSI target automatically and securely.
Virtualization: You can use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to connect your Mac to an iSCSI target that hosts virtual machines or containers. You can run multiple operating systems or applications on your Mac using virtualization software such as VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop.
How to Download and Install Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on Mac?
In this section, we will show you how to download and install Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on your Mac. The process is simple and straightforward, and it should not take more than a few minutes.
Download Globalsan Iscsi Initiator from SNS Website
The first step is to download the Globalsan Iscsi Initiator installer from the SNS website. Here is the link:
https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/globalsan-iscsi-initiator/
You will see a page like this:
You will need to fill out a form with your name, email address, company name, country, and industry. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with a link to download the installer. The email will look like this:
The installer file is about 5 MB in size, and it is compatible with macOS 10.12 or later. The installer file name is globalsan-6.x.x.dmgmg, where 6.x.x is the version number of the software. You can save the installer file to your preferred location on your Mac.
Install Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on Mac
The next step is to install Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on your Mac. Here are the steps:
Double-click the installer file to open it. You will see a window like this:
Drag and drop the Globalsan icon to the Applications folder icon. This will copy the Globalsan Iscsi Initiator application to your Applications folder.
Close the installer window and eject the installer disk image from your Mac.
Open the Applications folder and double-click the Globalsan Iscsi Initiator application to launch it. You will see a window like this:
Click the Install button to install the Globalsan System Preference, which is a component that allows you to configure and manage your iSCSI connections. You may need to enter your Mac administrator password to proceed.
After the installation is complete, you will see a message like this:
Click the Restart button to restart your Mac and activate the Globalsan System Preference. You may need to save and close any open applications before restarting.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on your Mac. You can now use it to connect your Mac to iSCSI storage devices.
How to Connect Your Mac to iSCSI Storage Using Globalsan Iscsi Initiator?
In this section, we will show you how to connect your Mac to iSCSI storage using Globalsan Iscsi Initiator. The process is simple and straightforward, and it should not take more than a few minutes.
Configure Globalsan Iscsi Initiator Settings
The first step is to configure Globalsan Iscsi Initiator settings. Here are the steps:
Open the System Preferences on your Mac and click the Globalsan icon. You will see a window like this:
Click the Add button (+) to add an iSCSI portal, which is a network address that points to an iSCSI target. You will see a window like this:
Enter the IP address or hostname of your iSCSI target in the Address field. You can also enter a custom port number if needed, otherwise leave it as 3260, which is the default port for iSCSI.
If your iSCSI target requires CHAP authentication, check the Enable CHAP Authentication box and enter your username and password in the corresponding fields.
Click OK to save your portal settings and close the window.
You have successfully added an iSCSI portal to your Globalsan Iscsi Initiator settings. You can now use it to connect to an iSCSI target and access its storage device.
Connect to an iSCSI Target and Access the Storage Device
The next step is to connect to an iSCSI target and access its storage device. Here are the steps:
In the Globalsan System Preference window, select the portal that you just added from the list of portals.
Click the Refresh button () to scan for available iSCSI targets on that portal. You will see a list of targets like this:
Select the target that you want to connect to from the list of targets. You can identify it by its IQN or by its alias if it has one.
Click the Connect button () to establish an iSCSI connection with that target. You will see a status message like this:
You have successfully connected to an iSCSI target using Globalsan Iscsi Initiator. You can now access its storage device as a local disk on your Mac.
If this is the first time you connect to this iSCSI target, you may need to initialize and format it before you can use it. To do this, you can use Disk Utility, which is a built-in application on your Mac that allows you to manage disks and volumes. Here are the steps:
Open Disk Utility
Open Disk Utility on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder, under Utilities.
In the Disk Utility window, you will see a list of disks and volumes on your Mac. Locate the iSCSI storage device that you just connected to. It may appear as an external disk or a disk image, depending on how your iSCSI target is configured.
Select the iSCSI storage device and click the Erase button at the top of the window. You will see a window like this:
Enter a name for your iSCSI storage device in the Name field. This name will appear on your Mac when you access the device.
Click the Format pop-up menu and choose a file system format for your iSCSI storage device. The file system format determines how the data is organized and stored on the device. For Mac compatibility, you can choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). For cross-platform compatibility, you can choose ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT).
Click the Scheme pop-up menu and choose GUID Partition Map. This is the partition scheme that is required for bootable disks on Macs with Intel processors. If your Mac has an Apple Silicon processor, you can skip this step.
Click Erase to start erasing and formatting your iSCSI storage device. This may take some time, depending on the size and speed of your device.
When the process is complete, you will see a message like this:
Click Done to close the window.
You have successfully initialized and formatted your iSCSI storage device using Disk Utility. You can now use it as a local disk on your Mac. You can copy files to and from it, create folders and subfolders, rename and delete items, etc.
Best Practices and Tips for Using iSCSI on Mac
In this section, we will share some best practices and tips for using iSCSI on Mac. These are not mandatory, but they can help you improve the performance, reliability, and security of your iSCSI connections.
Use a Dedicated Network or VLAN for iSCSI Traffic
One of the best practices for using iSCSI is to use a dedicated network or VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) for iSCSI traffic. This means that you should isolate your iSCSI traffic from other network traffic, such as web browsing, email, file sharing, etc. This can help you avoid network congestion and interference that may affect the quality and speed of your iSCSI connections.
To create a dedicated network or VLAN for iSCSI traffic, you will need some network devices that support Data Center Bridging (DCB) or Quality of Service (QoS). These are features that allow you to prioritize and allocate bandwidth for different types of network traffic. Some examples of network devices that support DCB or QoS are switches, routers, firewalls, etc.
To configure a dedicated network or VLAN for iSCSI traffic, you will need to assign a unique IP address range or subnet mask for your iSCSI devices. You will also need to enable DCB or QoS on your network devices and set the appropriate priority level for your iSCSI traffic. For more details on how to do this, please refer to the documentation of your network devices.
Use CHAP Authentication for Security
Another best practice for using iSCSI is to use CHAP (Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol) for security. CHAP is a feature that allows you to protect your iSCSI connections with a username and password. CHAP authentication prevents unauthorized access to your iSCSI targets and protects your data from eavesdropping and tampering.
To use CHAP authentication, you will need to enable it on both the initiator and target sides of your iSCSI connection. You will also need to set a username and password that match on both sides. For example, if you use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on your Mac as an initiator, and QNAP NAS as a target, here are the steps to enable CHAP authentication:
On your Mac, open the Globalsan System Preference and select the portal that connects to your QNAP NAS.
Click the Edit button () to edit the portal settings.
Check the Enable CHAP Authentication box and enter a username and password in the corresponding fields.
Click OK to save your portal settings.
On your QNAP NAS, open the QTS web interface and log in with your administrator account.
Go to Storage & Snapshots > iSCSI Storage > Target List and select the target that connects to your Mac.
Click the Edit button () to edit the target settings.
Go to the CHAP Authentication tab and check the Enable CHAP Authentication box.
Enter the same username and password that you entered on your Mac in the corresponding fields.
Click Apply to save your target settings.
You have successfully enabled CHAP authentication on both sides of your iSCSI connection. You can now use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator to connect your Mac to your QNAP NAS with a username and password.
Use Multipath I/O for Redundancy and Performance
A final best practice for using iSCSI is to use Multipath I/O (MPIO) for redundancy and performance. MPIO is a feature that allows you to use multiple paths between your Mac and your iSCSI target, such as different network interfaces, cables, switches, etc. MPIO can improve the availability and throughput of your iSCSI connections by balancing the load across different paths and switching to another path in case of a failure.
To use MPIO, you will need to enable it on both the initiator and target sides of your iSCSI connection. You will also need to configure the path selection policy and the failover mode for your iSCSI connections. For example, if you use Globalsan Iscsi Initiator on your Mac as an initiator, and QNAP NAS as a target, here are the steps to enable MPIO:
On your Mac, open the Globalsan System Preference and select the portal that connects to your QNAP NAS.
Click the Edit button () to edit the portal settings.
Check the Enable Multipath I/O box and click OK to save your portal settings.
In the Globalsan System Preference window, sel